Chelsea thrash Man City 5-1 in FA Cup

Hull’s Adama Diomande (left) and Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny challenge for the ball during the English FA Cup soccer match between Arsenal and Hull City at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday. The game ended 0-0.

LONDON (AP):

Chelsea reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 5-1 victory against an under-strength Manchester City side yesterday, while London rivals Crystal Palace and West Ham also advanced.

Palace defeated Tottenham 1-0 and West Ham came from behind to thrash second-tier Blackburn 5-1.

At Stamford Bridge, City manager Manuel Pellegrini showed that the focus was on his side's Champions League last 16 first-leg match against Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday - handing five players their debut.

"I have 13 (fit) players. I cannot take the risk to have one more player injured" Pellegrini said, when asked if he had devalued the FA Cup by fielding a weakened team. "I think we did the correct thing."

Defeat ended City's chance of an unlikely quadruple, while Chelsea head for a quarter-final against Everton - the team they beat in the 2009 FA Cup final, during Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink's first spell in charge.

When Chelsea took the lead after 35 minutes, it was two of Pellegrini's senior players - rather than the youngsters - who were at fault.

Diego Costa was allowed space on the six-yard box between Aleksandar Kolarov and Martin Demichelis and, when Eden Hazard hooked the ball across goal, Costa had as much time as he liked to stoop and head powerfully past Willy Caballero.

The lead only lasted two minutes. City forward Kelechi Iheanacho received a pass on the right and spread the ball into Chelsea's six-yard area. Cesar Azpilicueta tried to clear, but David Faupala stretched out a leg in anticipation and scored a debut goal.

COINS THROWN

As he celebrated with teammates in the corner of the pitch, coins were thrown at the City players from the stand where Chelsea fans sat.

"There were coins thrown to the Man City players in their celebration," Hiddink said. "We condemn it. I condemn it strongly. Those people, they should not come into stadiums."

Faupala's goal marked an encouraging first half for City's youngsters, but Chelsea's experience proved too much after the break.

Hazard, whose movement and passing resembled the player who propelled Chelsea to the Premier League title last season, threaded in Willian in the 48th and he finished ruthlessly, lashing the ball fiercely past Caballero and into the far corner.

Five minutes later, Chelsea added a third when Fernandinho made a feeble attempt to clear Willian's corner, and Gary Cahill fired in from the edge of the area.

Hazard then marked his impressive display with a goal, whipping a free kick low past Caballero in the 67th, before substitute Bertrand Traore scored with a header in the 89th.

It could have been a heavier defeat for City, but Caballero saved a 75th minute penalty from Oscar.

"It is a boost in the confidence for the players. We are making steps (forward)," Hiddink said. "There is not much left in the league for Chelsea, to be honest, so we focus on the games in the FA Cup."

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace dumped London rival Tottenham out of the competition.

Martin Kelly hit the decisive goal for Palace at White Hart Lane just before half-time, controlling a pass from Wilfried Zaha before firing past Michel Vorm.

Tottenham came close to equalising in the second half, through Christian Eriksen, who was denied by a smart save from Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, and Alan Pardew's side held on for a narrow victory.

"It wasn't our day," Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli said. "There are a lot of disappointed lads in the dressing room, but we will move on."

West Ham avoided a fifth-round upset with a 5-1 comeback victory at Blackburn.